Google Settlement
Who Should Control the Virtual Library?
Information is needed for people to complete even the most miniscule of tasks. Our lives, both public and private, are steeped in it. The need for it to be quality, accurate and accessible grows with each day. Everyone should be able to connect with quality analysis found in books, journals and other scholarly publications. With access to it we are free to challenge oppressive forces and improve our lives personally.
America’s primary amendment is freedom of speech. Freedom of the press is covered in the amendment as well. Alfred D. Chandler argued that America’s first amendment shows just how important freedom of information is to everyone living in the United States. The free flow of information and information technologies remain paramount to the vibrant growth of the democratic spirit. Railroads, the telegraph, radio, telephones, television, PC’s, and the internet are just a few information technologies that have improved the quality of our lives.
Moreover, the methods of communication must remain open to the largest amount of people possible. If everyone has easy access to the data we need, our lives will continue to improve. This is what the United States government has always understood. To ensure that the river of data flows freely information industries were subsidized and over a hundred of years later deregulated.
The google book settlement can mean many things. That a search engine makes available certain books to everyone who needs them is just one. Is this a good thing? There are some great ways that you can become involved in finding and answer to this very important question. Yet, don’t take my word for it, see for yourselves.
http://radicalreference.info/nyc/salon/googlebooks
